Group 2 Question 7: The greatest conductors are the ones who can...

I believe the answer is A.

In the first sentence, the passage highlights that the greatest conductors best communicate the needs of a given piece of music to the players. Thus, answer A is most fitting for this argument.

Option B may seem close but it refers to the conductors' beliefs of the unique qualities of the music rather than the "needs" of the music. Option A relates more closely to the "needs".

Question 7: Orchestra Conductors

The greatest conductors are the ones who can best communicate the needs of a given piece of music to the players. This means that a conductor with an impressive in-depth technical knowledge of the instruments of the orchestra might give a less effective performance of a piece than a less knowledgeable conductor who _________.

Which of the following, if true, most logically completes the argument?

(A) ensures that each member of the orchestra understands how his or her part fits into the sound and structure required by the composition.
(B) does a better job of expressing what the conductor believes to be the unique qualities of the music.
(C) establishes a relationship with the orchestra members that allows them to more comfortably express their concerns.
(D) draws from the orchestra members the highest level of their technical and artistic abilities.
(E) conveys the musical material in a way that is more readily grasped by the majority of the audience in attendance.

The greatest conductors are the ones who can best communicate the needs of a given piece of music to the players.........ability to communicate is more important
This means that a conductor with an impressive in-depth technical knowledge of the instruments of the orchestra might give a less effective performance of a piece than a less knowledgeable conductor who _________.....here author wants a comparison between two people one more knowledgeable person and another less knowledgeable person
also he indicates less effective performance with more knowledgeable person thereby implying the other less knowledgeable person communicates better.

Which of the following, if true, most [b]logically completes the argument?[/b]

(A) ensures that each member of the orchestra understands how his or her part fits into the sound and structure required by the composition................members understand better indicates he communicates better with team....CORRECT ANSWER

(B) does a better job of expressing what the conductor believes to be the unique qualities of the music...........this indicates he communicates what he believes to be right. His belief/understanding need not be good as he is said to be less knowledgeable so this does not fit the blank.

(C) establishes a relationship with the orchestra members that allows them to more comfortably express their concerns........their concerns can be professional or personal. this choice doesn't explain his ability to communicate.

(D) draws from the orchestra members the highest level of their technical and artistic abilities..........this may be right but doesn't explain his communicates regarding need of a piece of music. orchestra may be wonderful but if they don't understand what, why and how to play a certain part then everything goes wrong.

(E) conveys the musical material in a way that is more readily grasped by the majority of the audience in attendance..........does not explain presence of hinting words less effective performance

Official Explanation:

The greatest conductors are the ones who can best communicate the needs of a given piece of music to the players. This means that a conductor with an impressive in-depth technical knowledge of the instruments of the orchestra might give a less effective performance of a piece than a less knowledgeable conductor who _________.

Which of the following, if true, most logically completes the argument?

(A) ensures that each member of the orchestra understands how his or her part fits into the sound and structure required by the composition.
(B) does a better job of expressing what the conductor believes to be the unique qualities of the music.
(C) establishes a relationship with the orchestra members that allows them to more comfortably express their concerns.
(D) draws from the orchestra members the highest level of their technical and artistic abilities.
(E) conveys the musical material in a way that is more readily grasped by the majority of the audience in attendance.

Question Type: Complete the Passage / Conclusion
Boil It Down: Good conductors communicate well with instrument players. It’s possible for a smart conductor to do a bad job, and a less educated conductor to do a great job.
Goal: Figure out HOW a less educated conductor can still do a better job than a more educated one.

Analysis:
This question asks you to complete the argument. In this case, this means finishing the conclusion.

Premise: The greatest conductors are the ones who can best communicate the needs of a given piece of music to the players.

Conclusion: The conclusion is incomplete.

The conclusion begins “This means that.” The correct choice should complete a conclusion that can be drawn from the sole piece of evidence. The evidence says that the best conductors are those who can communicate the needs of the music to the players. These people might not be the most technically knowledgeable. Therefore a “less knowledgeable conductor” can give a more effective performance if they do a better job of getting the players to understand how their parts fit into the requirements of the composition, as choice A says. The requirement of “communication” has been met.

(A) This is the correct choice.

(B) The uniqueness of a piece is not mentioned in the argument, and the conductor’s “expression” of this uniqueness is somewhat vague. Who is this being expressed to?

(C) There is nothing in the argument about the players expressing their thoughts. This choice implies that the orchestra members are comfortable with the conductor, but that is not the same as the all-important “communicate the needs of a given piece of music.”

(D) The argument actually does not stress technique, and this choice refers to the players’ technique (and artistic ability), which means that the choice has got it backwards.

(E) The audience’s reaction is completely irrelevant to the argument as stated.


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